Many whisky enthusiasts hold a special place in their hearts for scotch, one of the world's oldest styles. Originally distilled in the early 1500s, it played a significant role in the global introduction of whisky. Japanese whisky, bourbon, and many other varieties all have its DNA. Its popularity in recent decades set off the current premiumisation trend sweeping the drinks scene.
Scotch was first taken outside Scotland in the 19th century by whisky industry titans such as James Buchanan, Tommy Dewar, Johnnie Walker, and James Chivas.
Using their entrepreneurial spirit, they spread the love of Scotch from Hong Kong to Hanoi, Sydney to San Francisco, Montreal to Mumbai, Bogota to Berlin, and Cape Town to the Cape Verde islands. They also brought whisky to the British Empire and much beyond. Their creation of export markets served as the cornerstone for the current success of Scotch whisky.
Fortune also played a role in the global expansion. The phylloxera beetle decimated French vineyards in the 1880s, and in a few years, wine and brandy were almost completely gone from cellars across the country. So, locating the best bottles available can seem impossible for any collector or enthusiast of fine tipples. There are many options available for you to try.
Top 10 Best Scotch Whiskies To Taste
Dewars Double Double 37 Years Old
Founded over 170 years ago, Dewars was one of the first scotches to be exported outside the United Kingdom, thus introducing many palates to the joys of fine whisky. Named the World's Best Blended Malt, this beautiful, limited-edition scotch was created by a unique 4-stage ageing process that was then finished in ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks that once held Aultmore single malt from the Speyside region of Scotland. Packaged with two Baccarat Massena crystal tumblers, this blended scotch exhibits sweet flavours often prevalent in fine-aged whisky. It is priced at 154545 INR.
Ballantine’s 30 Year Old
Here is another bottle from one of the icons of the scotch industry, Ballantine's. Established in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1827, the brand has expanded to become the world's second-largest Scotch whisky producer. This award-winning blend has been around for at least 30 years. It is made from a special blend of Ballentine's scotches, and it keeps getting better every year. It is priced at 39,000 INR, excluding tax and shipment charges.
It only seems to get better with every drink, rich and sweet. It highlights the skill and expertise that its distillers bring to the table using their unique blend of Miltonduff and Glenburgie single malt grains.
The Octave Premium
Duncan Taylor, a family-owned spirits company in Huntly, Scotland, on the edges of the Speyside region, makes it. The Octave lineup of scotch is designed to showcase the brands’ ability to craft exceptional matured whiskies focused on specific areas. Aged in much smaller casks than normal ones, these whiskies have a greater wood-to-liquid interaction, resulting in an enhanced flavour profile. It starts from 5,000 INR.
Glen Scotia, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cask 637, Refill Bourbon Barrel
The drink is from Campbeltown, the smallest whisky region in Scotland. Glen Scotia is renowned for its exceptional scotch worldwide. It was founded in 1832 and named Scotland's Whiskey Distiller of the Year in 2021. Working solely on the single malt style so beloved by fans, the distiller focuses on producing its whisky scotch following traditional methods, eschewing the modernisation others have embraced. It might be tough to lay your hands on this bottle; only a limited number were made, with prices starting from 30000 INR. But worry not—they have several fantastic single malts on the market.
The English Sherry Cask
The English Distillery, founded in 2006 in Norfolk, England, did the impossible. It took home the highly coveted title of World's Best Single Malt Whisky, besting 25 other bottles, including six scotches from Scotland. So, if you are looking for the best, here it is. The English Sherry Cask Matured is a seventeen-year-old whisky that won the award on its inaugural release. A smooth sipper, it exhibits a wide range of flavours with a price of 16,000 INR.
The Macallan 12-Year-Old Sherry Oak Cask
About as close to smooth and balanced perfection as top-shelf Scotch Whisky can get, the brand has unique expressions up and down the price spectrum, but the 12-year-old Sherry Oak Cask is the overall favourite. If you want something special at a reasonable price, start with the 12-Year Sherry Oak Cask and work up to the 18-Year. If that’s too expensive, save up for a bottle of the 12-Year and enjoy all The Macallan greatness at a reasonable price of 21,800 INR.
Glen Moray 18 Year Old
Look no further than Glen Moray, 18 Years Old, for a taste of classic Speyside Scotch. Located in one of Scotland’s oldest towns, the distillery has been crafting quality single malts on the banks of the River Lossie for over 120 years. Passion is fundamental to the operation, and the resulting whisky imparts an impeccable sense of balance and consistency. Fruity and floral, perfect for sipping neat or mixing in a cocktail. It’s a good age-statement scotch in the collection within 15000 INR.
Glenfiddich Original 12 Year Old
If you don’t want to spend hours at the nearest liquor store, grab a bottle of Glenfiddich Original 12 and be done with it. Like some other names on the list, this is one of the best Scotch Whisky brands because it’s one of the most consistent, reliable, accessible, and affordable bottles you can buy. While you’ll likely find this brand in most bottle shops within 8000 INR, that’s not to say it isn’t packed with impressive flavours. Glenfiddich has received more awards since 2000 than any other single-malt Scotch whisky.
Tobermory Distillery Ledaig Sinclair Series
Tobermory Distillery isn’t the most popular name on the tip of everyone’s tongue, but no list of the best Scotch whiskies is complete without it. It’s from a small distillery on the Isle of Mull that most people have never even heard of, and the name for its peated (smoky) expression is Ledaig. It has an approachable creaminess paired with the Rioja red wine cask finish. It has the perfect flavour profile for any season within 7000 INR. It also doesn’t knock your socks off with the smokiness.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Lagavulin is similarly smoky like Tobermory. Far more versatile by comparison within 10000 INR, Laphroaig consistently surprises with new releases and annual collaborations, but its benchmark expression is the mighty 10 Year that’s accessible and affordable. Think heavy peat, chocolate-covered espresso beans, and blasts of iodine, and you’ll get the idea. To take those flavours up a few notches, snag a bottle of the 10-Year Cask Strength; it’s a personal favourite if you love heavy smoke.